Convention on blood transfusion close to fruition

A working meeting led by Minister of Social Affairs and Health, Didier Gamerdinger, was held on Friday, February 23, to strengthen cooperation in blood transfusion between the Princess Grace Hospital (CHPG) and the French Blood Establishment (EFS) PACA-Corse and to establish a formal convention.

François Hebert, Deputy Director General of the EFS, representatives of EFS PACA-Corse, and the Princess Grace Hospital took part in the meeting in Monaco.

The purpose of the Convention is the implementation of the “Agreement on cooperation in the field of blood transfusion between the Principality of Monaco and the Government of the French Republic” signed on July 13, 2017. This will allow the CHPG Blood Transfusion Centre to draw on the supplies of the EFS, particularly for the preparation of Liable Blood Products and their distribution in Monaco, which responds to very strict standards.

The Principality will maintain its participation in the blood donation effort as blood collections will continue to be provided by the CHPG Blood Transfusion Centre. Indeed, there is a tradition, a history and a strong attachment of the Principality to the donation of blood, through the Prince’s Government, the Amicale of Blood Donors and the Monaco Red Cross.

The discussions at the meeting were extremely constructive and the draft Convention is expected to come to fruition shortly.

The seasonal influenza epidemic has caused eight deaths in France since the start of November, compared to just four in the same period of 2015. According to the health authorities, this year’s outbreak arrived particularly early, posing problems for the elderly, especially those who had not been vaccinated.
In the local French region, PACA, two deaths have been attributed to “flu”. Over Christmas week, 2.6 percent of visits to accident and emergency services of local hospitals were “flu-related”. Of the total of 761 visits, 169 resulted in hospital admissions.
One of several types of distinct viruses, H3N2, is particularly dangerous for the over 65s, according to one local health official.
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